NATO backs U.S. missile plan on eve of Russia talks

NATO's secretary-general mounted a stout defense of Washington's missile shield plan on Monday, June 25, the day before meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin when the issue is likely to top the agenda. Russia has described United States' plan to place part of its missile shield in eastern Europe as a threat and the issue has divided European politicians with some saying it is vital for defense and others saying it is misguided. "You don't have to be Einstein to understand that 10 interceptor rockets don't pose any threat to Russia and the Russian people," NATO's Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said via an interpreter in a debate on Russia's Ekho Moskvy radio station. He underlined the shield was aimed at shooting down missiles fired by rogue states such as North Korea and Iran, and that Russia also shared these common enemies.